A Feel Better Book for Little Sports
Holly Brochmann and Leah Bowen, Authors
Shirley Ng-Benitez, Illustrator
Magination Press, Fiction, Aug. 24, 2021
Suitable for ages: 2-5
Themes: Sportsmanship, Teamwork, Resilience, Fun, Rhyme
Opening: All over the world, / in all different places, / people of all ages, genders, and races… / Share a love for SPORTS — they’re so much fun! / Yippee! Hooray! / Your team has won!
Book Jacket Synopsis:
The acclaimed Feel Better Books for Little Kids series now offers an upbeat rhyming story that tackles the fun and the not-so-fun parts of sports: winning, losing, being a good sport, and even resilience. This is a helpful book for little ones who are just entering the world of competitive play, so that they can get the most out of their activities.
Why I like this book:
Brochmann and Bowen’s picture book is a perfect read for young children who get involved in sports at an early age. What child doesn’t like to run, swim, dance, skateboard, and play soccer, baseball, football, and tennis? Sports can be a BIG deal for a little child, especially if they have older siblings who are sport enthusiasts!
What I love about this book is that it focuses more on what sports do for children and not so much on winning — although that’s fun too. It brings kids together. It helps them exercise their body and brain and work on their coordination. It teaches kids respect and consideration for others, especially when they win and an opponent loses. This is a very balanced and important book for at home or school.
The rhyming text is snappy and Shirley Ng-Benitez illustrations are lively and colorful. The children represent a diverse group of sport enthusiasts and those who are differently-abled.
Resources: The author offers an insightful Note to Parents and Caregivers at the end of the book with more information about ways to help kids get the most out of sports while they have fun learning.
Holly Brochmann and Leah Bowen are sisters and co-athors. This is the sisters’ fourth book in the Feel Better Books for Little Kids series: For Little Tears, For Little Worriers, Little Poopers, and For Little Tempers. Leah is a licensed professional counselor and registered play therapist. Holly has a degree in journalism and has a career in public relations. Both sisters live in Texas. You can visit them at their website.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
*Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for a review.”
Children's Books Heal 
I remember those days of T-ball and soccer when the kids were all over the place, and had no clue about how to play a sport – just that running around outside with friends was so much fun! Great to see a book that captures some of that excitement!
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Yes, I remember those days too. Sports should be fun for kids!
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I’m glad this focuses on playing sports and not always having to win. Exercise and teamwork can be instilled at a young age and last a lifetime. This book presents the topic in a fun way. Thanks for featuring it today.
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Thanks Greg! I thought it was a perfect book to start the school year with. I love the emphasis on fun!
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I agree with Pat, running and playing for the sake of being outdoors (“free”) and with friends was a precious part of childhood. I’m looking forward to reading this one. Thanks, Patricia.
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I know my childhood sport activities were focused on having fun whether it was playing catch, throwing the frisbee, sledding, ice skating, etc. I loved them because I had fun. (I also go by Pat, too.:)
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Yay, what a great resource. There is truly so much that sports participation can bring to children. Shirley’s illustrations look very sweet.
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Yes, the illustrations are playful and fun! It is a wonderful resource book for parents and teachers.
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Sometimes I think parents need a book like this, too, after witnessing some poor sportsmanship and a drive to win among them when my son used to play on teams.
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I saw a lot of poor sportsmanship among parents when my daughter was young — especially when she was riding horses. I think this is a good book for parents. That’s why the suggested age range is 3 – 6 years.
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This is a useful book. Sports are fun. Also, napping is fun and eating snacks is fun.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
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Yes, it is a very helpful book for parents and their children!
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I remember coaching kinder-soccer… it was all about playing together and not much about rules or winning. I agree with others that de-emphasizing winning, and making sure kids have fun and move, is more important.
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Couldn’t agree with you more. It’s all about having fun.
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